Manchester United To Table Second Bid For Baines; Barcelona Go After David Luiz

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Manchester United are set to make a second bid for full-back Leighton Baines, while Barcelona want to sign centre-half David Luiz. Meanwhile Christian Benteke has handed in a transfer request, among other news.

United to make second bid for Baines

Manchester United are expected to make a second bid for Everton left-back Leighton Baines. After an initial offer of £10 million was rejected by the Toffees, United are expected to make an improved offer. However, it looks like the new bid would fall short of Everton’s £20 million valuation for the England international.

There is mixed reaction among fans to United’s interest in Baines. The fans do not consider him worth the money to be spent on him and would rather see Real Madrid’s want-away left-back Fábio Coentrão at Old Trafford. Everton fans, likewise, do not want to lose Baines. This one pans out to be an interesting tug of war.

Barcelona make move for David Luiz

Barcelona have reportedly moved for a £30 million bid for Chelsea centre-back David Luiz. Seen as a long term replacement for Carles Puyol, Barcelona want to bring him to the Nou Camp where he could line up with fellow Brazilians Dani Alves and Neymar. Chelsea, however, value Luiz at a higher price and are unlikely to let him go that easily.

David Luiz was Chelsea’s stand out performer last season and new boss Jose Mourinho expects him to stay at Stamford Bridge for the new season. Barcelona may have to pay through their nose to get the former Benfica defender.

Benteke hands in Transfer Request

The Belgian striker has told Aston Villa he wants to leave after one season at Villa Park and has been left out of Villa’s pre-season tour. This has put the likes of Chelsea and Spurs on the alert who are monitoring the situation closely.

Villa would want to hold on to the 22 year old unless they receive a bid in the region of £26 million. They are even willing to double Benteke’s current £20,000 a week deal, which is unlikely to make him stay.

West Ham want Downing

Sam Allardyce wants more players from Liverpool. After Andy Carroll’s move to Upton Park, reports suggest West Ham are on the move for Stewart Downing.

West Ham would no doubt want to get good crosses onto big man Carroll’s noggin. Whether Downing is the man for the job remains to be seen. Downing has at the end of last season forced himself back into Brendan Rodger’s plans and will not be allowed to leave easily.

Lewandowski Going Nowhere – For Now

Borussia Dortmund manager Joachim Leow has confirmed Robert Lewandowski is staying put in Dortmund this year and join Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich next season. This will come as a blow to Manchester United and Chelsea who were hoping to sign the Polish forward this season.

Lewandowski has agreed to join his former teammate Mario Goetze at the Allianz Arena next season. Chelsea and Manchester United were interested in bringing him to the Premiership, but now it looks like Dortmund will have to let him go for free when his contract expires in 2014.